• 40% of pet care buyers would spend just as much money on their pet at special events as on a friend.
• Britain’s men are nation’s top dog lovers: 35% own one.
• 18% of dog owners aged 16-24 pay for dog walkers.

New research from Mintel confirms the nation’s passion for pets shows no sign of abating as 51% of pet care buyers say they would rather cut back spending money on themselves than on their pets.

But it’s Britain’s Millennials (aged 19-38) who are the most prepared to lavish love on their animal friends, with 54% of these pet care buyers saying they’d prefer to cut back spending on themselves.

Mintel research reveals that 30% of Millennial pet care purchasers say they like their pet to keep up with the latest trends (eg clothes, grooming styles), which compares to an average of one in five (19%) buyers.

And if you happen to be friends with a Millennial, be prepared to share their love as Mintel research finds two in five (40%) of these pet care buyers would spend just as much money on their pet at special events (such as Christmas or their birthday) as they would on a friend. This compares to an average of 32% of all buyers.

Meanwhile, some 38% of Millennial pet food buyers say they are interested in buying human-style pet food made by regular food brands (eg pet-friendly chocolate) compared to 29% of all buyers; a far cry from the proverbial “dog’s dinner”. 

Overall, 59% of British consumers own a pet, with full-time workers the most likely to own one (66%). Proving dogs really are man’s best friend, ownership peaks among men, with 35% of men owning a mutt compared to 31% of women, and younger Millennials aged 19-28 (42%).

Meanwhile, cat ownership peaks among Brits aged 25-44. And while the age-old argument over whether cats or dogs are better is guaranteed to send owners into a frenzy, it seems that dogs have the edge, as a third (33%) of Brits own a dog versus three in ten (29%) who own a cat.

Chana Baram (pictured), Retail Analyst at Mintel, said: “As pets increasingly become viewed as family members and are ‘humanised’, pet owners are willing to offer them their own products and unique items, which often carry a higher price tag, and help to drive category growth. This ranges from animal-friendly pancakes and wine to dog hiking boots and animal sleeping bags. While the more pampered of pooches even enjoy dog beds with memory foam mattresses. Our research shows that Millennials are particularly devoted to their furry companions. As the age of having children increases, we know some young people are opting to first get a pet and treat them as a family member. Additionally, there are many pet ‘influencers’ on social media, which are likely to appeal to the Millennial demographic, such as ‘Doug the Pug’, a dog with 3.6 million Instagram followers.”

“There are already pet Christmas and birthday presents available from a number of retailers, but the willingness to spend just as much on a pet as a friend shows that there is an opportunity for retailers to offer more event-specific products. Having pet products for seasonal events such as Valentine’s Day would likely prove popular with young consumers, and this could extend to other key events such as weddings or funerals.”

Brits to spend over £2 billion on pet care products and services by 2023

Brits’ love for their furry friends is expected to see the value of the pet care products and services (including toys and health check-ups) market reach £2.1 billion by 2023, a 25% increase from an estimated £1.7 billion in 2018.

Just under six in ten (57%) pet owners bought pet products in 2017**, with toys (37%) being the number one pet care product purchased. But when it comes to play, it seems the nation’s pups are being the most indulged as 41% of dog owners say they have bought their pups toys compared to 35% of cat owners.

When it comes to pet services, pet health check-ups (17%) and pet grooming (16%) lead the way. Keen to keep their pooches in good shape, 10% of dog owners have paid for dog walkers, rising to almost one in five (18%) dog owners aged 16-24. Meanwhile, 7% of dog owners have paid for pet sitting.

“The pet food and pet care industry is growing well, underpinned by stable pet ownership and an increasing desire to treat pets with premium food, products and services as they become a more integral part of the family. Additionally, with pet ownership peaking among full-time workers, there is an opportunity to provide practical services such as dog walking and daycare.” Continues Chana.

Pet owners risk it with no insurance

Finally, while Brits clearly adore their fur babies, Mintel research shows that as many as 45% of pet owners (34% of dog owners; 50% of cat owners) don’t have pet insurance. More than a third (36%) of owners of uninsured pets believe pet insurance does not offer good value for money, while 21% don’t trust insurers to pay out if a claim is made. Highlighting rising cost issues, 13% say they used to have cover but it became unaffordable. And while pet insurance is far from universal, just 21% of pet owners say that they could afford to pay the vet bills if anything went wrong. 

“Brits are clearly passionate about animals, but our research shows that just under half of pet owners still don’t have insurance, highlighting the scope for further growth in the future. Communicating the real expenses involved in taking a pet to the vet for serious treatment, compared to the monthly cost of insurance, is a compelling case in favour of getting cover. Convincing reluctant consumers that policies are comprehensive and pay out most of the time is key to increasing take-up of pet insurance,” concludes Chana.

To find out more click here

Armitage Pet Care’s Good Boy Advent Calendar for Dogs is already proving very popular with pet owners this year, appearing in the top five bestselling Christmas products in a nationwide list.

The popular GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts which track the top selling products in garden centres nationwide, using Epos data, has the dog calendar at No 5 in the Christmas Products list, behind festive favourites like History & Heraldry Angel Hanging Decoration,  Suki Personalised Angel Ornament, Suki Personalised Snowman/Snowgirl Ornament, and History & Heraldry Personalised Gift Box.

Trevor Pfeiffer, director of GTN and Bestseller analyst, said: “Advent calendars for pets are always very popular between now and December but to show up so high and so early is testament to the product’s on-going success.

“We all know that pet owners love to spoilt their animals and this is another example of dogs and cats becoming a cherished part of family life.

“I would urge all pet retailers to stock up on Christmas stocking fillers for dogs and cats this year. You could be on to a winner.”

It was a case of all change for Pets at Home top execs this week, when a key new appointment coincided with the announcement of a surprise departure.

Chief executive of the company’s veterinary business, Andrei Balta, is to step down, with his role being covered on a temporary basis by the recently appointed group chief executive Peter Pritchard (pictured).

Just as this news was released, it was also announced that a new role of chief data officer was being filled by Robert Kent, who formerly fulfilled the same role with the Royal Mail. The move is being seen as a strategic shift towards supporting online growth, tapping into customer data to increase the size of the business.

Peter Pritchard said: "It is six months since I took over the role of group CEO and trading momentum continues right across the business. I am taking the time to assess our strategy and develop the plan that will ensure Pets at Home remains successful over the long term.

“I'm therefore delighted that Robert Kent will be joining us as chief data officer. The CDO is both a new and strategically important appointment for Pets at Home, where Robert's wealth of expertise will help us maximise the value of our data.”

Kent will join the business at the beginning of November. He will report to Pritchard and be a member of the group executive management team.

Pritchard added that Balta was stepping down after seven years: “Andrei has decided to leave and I would like to thank him for his contribution to Pets at Home,” he said.

A new £250,000 state-of-the-art vehicle designed to "revolutionise" animal welfare awareness across the UK has ben unveiled by the PDSA charity.

The new 18-tonne PetWise Mobile Unit, made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, will enable the charity to treat animals and boost disease prevention.

It was officially unveiled at the Family Pet Show in Manchester, at the weekend and has since hit the road, touring towns and cities across Britain.

Rebecca Ashman, Veterinary Campaigns Manager at PDSA, said: “As well as treating pets in need, we are passionate about preventing sickness and helping people their pets healthy and happy. So our PDSA PetWise Mobile Unit is a major new addition for the charity. Together with our two smaller PetWise vans, it can revolutionise how animal welfare is promoted in communities up and down the country.

“From this vehicle we can perform minor operations, run vaccination clinics and offer free dog health checks. But its benefits don’t end there, because the truck can also open up to host classroom lessons for schoolchildren or even pet first aid courses.

“This dream has been made a reality thanks to generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.”

The new unit boasts two vet consulting rooms with oxygen facilities, moveable seating, a widescreen TV and built-in iPads so schoolchildren can take part in interactive educational games.

Hazel Johnstone, Senior Programmes Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The new PDSA PetWise Mobile Unit is absolutely fantastic and we’re delighted that support from players will be making a huge difference to animal welfare through this important project.

“Not only will it provide a mobile unit to deliver potentially lifesaving vaccinations and procedures, but it will also provide a modern, high-tech mobile unit for PDSA to educate the pet owners of today and the future.”

We believe the new vehicle will help tackle a major lack of awareness of animal welfare in the UK. According to our latest Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report*, just 38% of pet owners are familiar with the Animal Welfare Acts, and, worryingly, a quarter have never even heard of them. These Acts of Parliament underpin everything that animals need in order to be happy and healthy. 

The new mobile unit forms part of  the PDSA's larger PetWise on tour fleet, which now consists of three vehicles touring the country every year, dispensing great pet care advice.

PetWise on tour events can be found at https://www.pdsa.org.uk/get-involved/events

Direct-to-consumer dog food e-tailer Tails.com, heavily invests in its on-demand customer nutrition advice service based on a long-term quest to improve dog nutrition for all and tackle dog obesity.

• The investment in their customer nutrition advice service follows the announcement in April 2018 that Nestlé Purina PetCare had acquired a majority stake in the personalised pet nutrition business.
• The service sets up tails.com as first UK dog food brand to offer truly personalised pet care, delivering exemplary advice by in-house experts.
• The brand has more than doubled their customer support team to allow them to build upon their existing service and reach more customers.
• The team specialists include vet nurses, vet care assistants, breeders and shelter adoption advisors and has the guidance of their pet nutritionists and head vet, Sean McCormack.
• The team take around 200 calls per day. ‘Reblend’ requests (adjusting their pets diet requirements) are amongst the most common type of call).
• The quest to do so comes from a brand vision to create accessible nutrition advice en masse and a commitment to increased investment in its customer experience service.

Over 50% of dogs in the UK either overweight or obese, and tails.com are tackling the issue head on, both through their product - they do exact portions made easy, to
help your dog hit their ideal weight for good - and their recently bolstered, on-demand customer nutrition advice service.

The service, that has innovation at its core and care at its heart, is delivered by a recently expanded team of dog care specialists. It provides a truly unique and personal experience, whilst seeking to improve the health and welfare of millions of dogs, and in turn their owners, across the UK.

The increased investment comes as the trend for on demand services continue to emerge across a wide variety of industries - including fitness, entertainment and beauty - with tails.com as the first to offer personalised advice to the dog food market.

The expansion of pet culture signifies the acceptance by owners of their furry companions as members of their lives that require the same consideration to their health and diet as they do. In much the same way the human food industry has embraced bespoke meal services for better health, tails.com alters the way pet owners plan meals for their dogs.

Talking directly with their customer base is an important part of the tails.com growth strategy, aiming to provide a superior customer experience, through agile and on-demand solutions. By leveraging the benefits of the multi-disciplinary workforce, both sides of the direct-to-consumer model benefit.

Consumers enjoy instant access to professional advice while tails.com are able to learn more about what their customer needs and improve their product and experience.

Supported by Head Vet, Sean McCormack, the team includes experts from one of the UK’s oldest and most respected sectors – veterinary practices - meaning that customers are able to speak to a qualified team directly about their pets dietary and health concerns.

“As a vet I get great satisfaction solving all kinds of pet problems, especially when helping dogs live longer, happier lives,” said Sean McCormack.

“Our unique nutrition advice service offers dog owners quick access to professional advice and guidance on their pet’s nutrition and health. It’s a better fit with our busy lifestyles and means that people can make informed decisions about their dogs' well being.

“We’re starting off by expanding our popular consultation service for existing and new customers to make it easy for owners to manage their pets’ eating habits, but our vision is much bigger. Our mission is to support our customers in every way they choose to feed their dogs and make the right health care choices.

“We're not replacing the role of your vet who knows your dog's health best, but we're here to support you and guide you if you have any questions or concerns. Whatever your dog's dietary and health needs, we're confident we can solve them or at least point you in the right direction with top notch advice>'

The service is a core part of the offering available at tails.com, powered by their unique proprietary algorithm that uses information customers provide (including
breed, age, health conditions, activity levels and flavour preferences) to determine the ideal blend of nutrients for their dog. They create a unique recipe for every single dog, in the taste they love with the nutrition they need.

Harringtons launches a new television advertising campaign, airing nationally, this week.

With pet owners more aware of what goes into their pet’s food and looking for the reassurance of a more natural diet, Harringtons has been at the forefront of satisfying this demand by being made with natural ingredients without having to pay a price premium of other similar specialist brands.

The campaign positions Harringtons as the brand for all dogs and owners across the UK, knowing that owners want to give their pets the best they can, taking the natural message and turning it into a mission, a campaign on behalf of dogs.

The ad, which was filmed across multiple locations in the Yorkshire region, shows dogs coming together from all across the land – from the beaches, the towns and villages. They run across streams, down valleys, over walls and up hills. All dogs, big and small, join together to raise a flag with the message of Natural for All.

The 30, 20 and 10-second ads will air from Thursday 11^th October across primetime slots on terrestrial and Sky/Digital channels as well as through Sky’s AdSmart platform. In addition to this, sponsorship idents will feature alongside Channel 5’s ‘The Yorkshire Vet’.

Dan Reeves, Marketing Manager at IPN, added; ”We’re excited by this campaign. It is bigger, bolder, more epic and one that will drive our market leading growth even further and become the no.1 dry dog brand in 2019”.

The 30-second ad is available to view on the Harringtons You Tube Channel here

With a year to go before AQUA 2019, the UK’s aquatics and water gardening trade exhibition is shaping up to be one of the best shows ever staged in its history.

Returning exhibitors include AQUA One, Beaver Plants, CASCO Pet, Evolution Aqua, Gordon Low, Hozelock, Interpet, Lotus, Neil Hardy Aquatics, NT Laboratories, OASE, Pedigree Wholesale, Red Sea, Seneye, Tetra and Tropical Marine Centre.

The two-day exhibition at Telford International Centre on October 16-17, 2019, will also have a strong international presence with Aquadip and Velda (The Netherlands), Hydor (Italy), Tropica Aquarium Plants (Denmark), and ATM Aquarium Products (America) taking stands. A full list of exhibitors is on the AQUA website www.aquatelford.co.uk.

Dr David Pool, Chairman of the show’s organisers OATA Impact Exhibitions, “Preparations are well underway for the sixth AQUA show in 2019. It is going to be even better than previous shows, and I can’t wait to see it on the opening day.”

AQUA, which is staged every two years, has grown in size and popularity with Gordon Low Products agreeing it’s the perfect stage to launch and showcase products. Director Ruth Low says: “We are looking forward to next year’s show – a year does seem a long time, but it goes so quickly. We are quite a small company so this bi-annual opportunity to see all our lovely customers under one roof and have a fab night out with them, is just great.”

It’s a similar story for Aqua One, whose Managing Director Mark Winter says:  “We always look forward to an AQUA year. It is the one time we can get together with customers. The timing of show is also ideal for some major range launches we have planned. Aqua 2017 was big for us as a business – 2019 could just be even bigger.”

Steve Bolton, of Pettex, comments: “We’re always excited to be involved with AQUA as it gives us such a great opportunity to meet with a wide range of retailers.”

There will be lots for visitors to see and do at AQUA 2019 and one of the most popular features is the New Products Showcase where exhibitors get the chance to unveil their latest launches. A panel of retailers will judge all entries on the first morning of the show before the New Product Awards are handed out to the winners at the AQUA dinner later in the day.

“It’s great to see the industry getting right behind AQUA 2019,” says organiser Annie Foord. “Major companies from both the UK and abroad are returning to show, and we’re confident it will be another fantastic event.”

Annie talks to exhibitors on a regular basis and she knows that AQUA 2019 is an important date in their calendar. “Companies will be working hard between now and next year’s exhibition to produce new and innovative products and services. So if you’re a retailer or buyer make sure you put the date in your diary. It’s an event you can’t afford to miss.”

To discover more reasons why AQUA has become a vital date in the water gardening and aquatics trade calendar, retailers and buyers can view comments about the 2017 event in a special video at https://vimeo.com/239639526. And for more information about the show visit www.aquatelford.co.uk

Date for the diary

AQUA 2019, October 16-17, Telford International Centre

As an integral part of Agria’s new practice development initiative, Agria life, the company has worked closely with specialist regulatory consultants to embrace the new Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) to craft a range of innovative insurance solutions for vets' practices.

Non-regulated:

1. Agria activates 5 Weeks Free cover for the client on your behalf once you have filled in their details online
2. Owner activates 5 Weeks Free cover for their pet online within 24 hours of their pet’s vet check

Regulated

3. Vet activates 5 Weeks Free cover for the client and can recommend Agria Pet Insurance. 

“These solutions are designed to make veterinary promotion of lifetime pet insurance as easy and effective as possible, providing immediate cover for pets whilst giving you the freedom to work with Agria in a way that’s right for your business and your clients,” said Nick White, Agria’s Head of Veterinary Channel

To find out more visit stand P52 at the London Vet Show to release the inner surgeon in you and you could WIN a Vet Sun Tech 30 for your practice.

What is Agria life?

It’s a free bespoke membership programme from Agria available to all of our practices. The programme includes a number of FREE practice benefits that you can take advantage of straight away! You will have a dedicated veterinary team to support you throughout.

What does it cost?

Membership to Agria life is free

What do I receive?

Continual line up of practice benefits including clinical and business CPD and one to one business support from our specialist vet team.

Not attending LVS this year then visit: www.agriapet.co.uk/LVS18 complete the form to register your interest!

Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance Ltd is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 4258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW.

The Canny Company has launched a new set of colourful ‘emoticards’ to sit in front of or alongside the Canny Collar, which capture some of the feelings people experience when they own a pulling dog.

The attractive, cartoon-style illustrations are designed to draw customers’ attention to the product with each of the four designs tapping into a different emotion such as embarrassment, frustration and blame.

The emoticards are complemented by a simple, redesigned A5 flyer pointing out the benefits of the Canny Collar to stop pulling on lead.

“Sometimes a dog comes along that just feels impossible to train,” says Managing Director Sean McElherron, “but when you’re being pulled off your feet, you feel embarrassed, you feel guilty that you’re not spending enough time training and you’re worried that one day your dog might pull you over or escape.

“You may even be thinking the worst, that if you can’t control her, you may have to give her up for rehoming.”

The message is that we all want to enjoy walking our dogs. The Canny Collar can help train a dog to stop pulling on lead so owners can avoid feeling bad about their pet.

To order a set for your store, contact the Canny Company on 0161 706 0048, email info@cannyco.com or ask your preferred distributor.

Pooch & Mutt’s Tasty Turkey chews came out on top in the Pet Food & Treats category of The Grocer New Product Awards 2018.

The Grocer magazine is the UK’s leading grocery publication with coverage across the whole FMCG sector.

Blazing the trail in new product innovation, the New Product Awards recognise the latest in product development across the grocery sector. This year’s awards faced a rigorous judging process, from both shoppers and a panel of experts.

With over 200 entries in total, 129 products were selected for consideration across 28 categories. Each product was tested with a minimum sample of 50 shoppers from 6 sampling points across Great Britain, before moving on to for evaluation by the expert panel.

Noting the simple and minimal packaging, shoppers thought that Pooch & Mutt’s Tasty Turkey chews gave a “good substantial chew” and liked that it was easy to break down for smaller dogs. Almost half of the testers agreed that it was better than similar products on the market.

The experts were equally impressed, commenting on the chew’s “clean ingredients”, claiming the snack looked like “something you could eat yourself”. They also said that an enthusiastic dog could “get through it in no time”.

Competition in the Pet Food & Treats category included high-quality entries, with Lily’s Kitchen being awarded a highly commended prize.

Pooch & Mutt has seen huge growth both across the UK and internationally this year. The award-winning chews launched in 2017 with an aggressive marketing campaign exposing some of the ingredients used in the pet food industry.

The success of the campaign cemented the brand’s leading position in the pet food revolution, leading to further success with two new product launches in 2018.

January saw the launch of Pooch & Mutt’s Superfood range; a dry food for dogs of all sizes and life stages, followed by their wet food cartons in July. Enforcing the brand’s commitment to sustainably sourced, quality food; the wet food cartons push the boundaries of pet food packaging - easy to use and 100% recyclable, they are widely recyclable with a carbon footprint that is 80% lower a can.

Commenting on the award, founder Guy Blaskey said: “We are very proud to this year’s award. We receive positive feedback from our customers daily and winning the New Product Award confirms that we are helping dogs lead happier, healthier lives.

"This year has been particularly significant for growth at Pooch & Mutt and it is amazing to be recognised as a leader of innovation in the pet category from such a respected industry publication.”

Free-from wheat, corn, soya, artificial flavours or colours, Pooch & Mutt junk-free chews are cold formed to preserve the natural flavours and nutrients from their high-quality ingredients.

Retailing at £1.89 for a pack of 2 chews, the range is available from www.poochandmutt.co.uk.

Manchester-based pet bed specialist Scruffs has announced that its new ‘Ellen’ collection of bedding will be ready to order at the beginning of November.

Officially launched at Glee and PATS Telford in September, Scruffs Ellen dog bed collection is produced using a textured faux fur, with a contrasting tweed outer cover.

The bed’s sleep area has been lined with a luxurious plush fur, providing warmth and comfort. Each bed is finished with a soft-feel Scruffs logo on the front of the bed.

The Scruffs Ellen donut bed is filled with 100% recycled green fibre filling, combined with a fixed centre cushion for improved support. The mattress is made using an integral 100% recycled green fibre filling, secured in four places, this provides greater cushioning characteristics and enhanced durability. Both styles of bed have a non- slip base and the complete bed is machine washable at 30 degrees.

Dubby Klyne, Sales Director at Scruffs, said: “Scruffs Ellen collection boasts a somewhat different colour pallet to other products in the range, and is a much-needed addition to our winter line-up.

“We are pleased to launch this collection in the UK on the back of some great feedback at Glee and PATS Telford last month.”

For more information, contact a member of the Scruffs marketing team using pr@petslovescruffs.com or via phone on +44 (0) 161 702 5060.

Lily’s Kitchen has launched a second recipe in its Bright Young Things Puppy Reward range. The 100% natural, air dried puppy treats are designed to help new four legged family members feel settled, ready to start training and be rewarded for good behaviour on their big adventures.

In addition to the existing Chicken & White Fish Puppy Rewards, Lily’s Kitchen customers now have a choice of natural puppy treats, helping to give their pups the best start in life when they want to treat their pet but don’t want the associated problems with feeding artificial ingredients.

Made with British duck and venison, plus delectable sweet potato and apple cider vinegar, these high value treats are sure to be a hit with puppies and are a great training aid for keeping curious little ones focused during the early months. The sausage slices are lovely and soft so can be ripped into just the right size for small mouths and each 60g pack is resealable for freshness, so is perfect for training when out and about or at puppy school. The packaging also features a helpful window so you can see the product within, and fits perfectly in pockets.

As with all Lily’s Kitchen’s recipes, the new Duck & Venison Puppy Rewards are a great source of high-quality protein and Omega 3, are hypoallergenic, natural and holistic, and never contain rendered meats, animal derivatives, added fillers, artificial flavourings, or sweeteners.  The new treats complement the Lily’s Kitchen’s Puppy Dry Food and Puppy Wet tin and tray ranges.

Comments Henrietta Morrison, founder of Lily’s Kitchen: “When we become a new pet parent, we all want the best for our newest (and furriest) member of the family. When choosing treats, we’re often faced with so much choice, and with lots of treats that have artificial ingredients in them, it’s difficult to know just what is best for your youngest best friend. Our new  Duck & Venison Sausage Slices are 100% natural and are a brilliant option for new puppies settling in to new homes, learning the ropes in puppy school and tasty rewards for all round good behaviour!”

Available now, Lily’s Kitchen Puppy Duck & Venison Sausage Slices, will be sold in independent pet shops, health food shops and on the Lily’s Kitchen website (www.lilyskitchen.co.uk).

Pengelly and Mizen, one of Peterborough’s longest running vet practices, has had a makeover. Let’s see what’s new...

A gleaming reception area, ready to welcome all clients warmly.

The theme of gleam continues in the waiting area. There’s plenty of space, some lovely displays and a Cat Corner (away from camera) for cats to relax in… away from bouncy dogs.

And as you can see here, the consult rooms look lovely too!

The renovation has had a tremendous impact on the team at Pengelly & Mizen.

"We are delighted," says Practice Manager Sarah McDiarmid-Branch.

"The new open plan layout is a huge improvement and is proving very popular with our clients.

"Behind the scenes, our operating facilities have also been refurbished and upgraded. The works have made such a difference to the whole team as well as enhancing the level of client care we’re able to provide."

Pengelly & Mizen Vets first opened its doors to the public in 1949. Rumour has it that founder Tom Tunney waited a whole week before anyone walked through the door.

Business picked up, however, and the practice grew steadily into the amazing vets we all know it to be today.

This renovation marks the beginning of a new chapter and we’re sure it will continue to impress staff and clients alike…although the pets might not notice!

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An Australian Cockatoo has been stolen during a break-in at a Stockton pet shop.

Officers are now appealing for information after the nine-year-old, called Rosie, was taken from Pet Mania.

A member of the public was walking past the Portrack Lane shop at 6.45pm on Sunday when he saw two or three men, described as in their mid-20s and one with a facial tattoo, holding the bird outside the store. 

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “It is not yet clear if anything else was stolen during the break-in but all other animals appear to be accounted for.”

The full story can be read on the Teeside Gazette website – click here to view

The Cockatoo has finally been reunited with its handlers at the Stockton pet store, according to reports yesterday.

The Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association has created a suite of documents to help its English members get ready for the new local authority inspection and licensing regime for animal activities, including the commercial sale of animals as pets.

The new regime requires a number of written policy and procedures which some businesses may not already have. There is also a greater requirement for daily and weekly record-keeping which businesses will need to show to inspectors during their yearly visit.

To help its members get ready for their inspection, OATA has created downloadable templates that businesses can use or customise for their business and offered detailed advice on how to write the policies and standard operating procedures from feeding, to cleaning tanks and preventing the spread of disease that are now required.

“We believe good businesses should be doing much of what is being called for as second nature but may not have ever written down what they already do as a matter of course,” said OATA’s Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee.

“Our free to download templates and advice will help businesses cut through the red tape and should make it easier for them to get ready for their first inspection under this new regime. We also have free caresheets businesses can use and our training packages will help to demonstrate businesses are meeting other requirements within the new guidance.

“But we remain concerned about various aspects of this new scheme so we are keen to hear from our English members about how they find it, the fees they are paying and how ready they consider their local authority is. We have a survey they can fill in, or they can email us or message us on our Facebook page.”

Defra will review the regime in the future and OATA wants to start gathering evidence of any significant problems to help it press for an early review.

Find more information at www.ornamentalfish.org 

International Cat Care together with Kittyrama will be exhibiting at the London Vet Show (November 15 - 16). 

Meet them at booth S18 to learn about:

• ‘Cat Care for Life’, a new initiative from International Cat Care to encourage your clients to maintain their cat’s health and welfare throughout its lifetime.
• Kittyrama Cat Collars.  The only ever collars to win International Cat Care’s ‘Cat Friendly’ award.  The stylish and safe collars have also been featured in Vogue and are a hit with cat owners worldwide.  Kittyrama donates 10% of their profits to International Cat Care charity for every collar sold in veterinary practices. 

For stock enquiries email: trade@kittyrama.co.uk

For more information visit www.catcare4life.org    www.kittyrama.co.uk 

Brambles Pet and Wildlife would like to ensure that members of the public are using only beneficial foods to feed wildlife, in particular hedgehogs.

Many people are still feeding inappropriate foods such as mealworms, peanuts and sunflower hearts to hedgehogs which have been linked to Metabolic Bone Disease due to high phosphorus levels and should be avoided.

Peanuts and seeds can also get lodged in-between teeth and cause dental issues which have been reported at wildlife rescue centres.

Brambles Managing Director and biological scientist Gail Tracey comments: “It’s great that people want to help but sometimes they are doing more harm than good.

"A good quality hedgehog food such as Brambles is all that’s required to supplement a hedgehog’s diet, along with fresh water."

Other foods to avoid feeding hedgehogs are foods with added sugars, honey and dried fruit (which has very high concentrations of sugar) due to dental and cardiovascular issues, and foods with high fat content over 15%, such as suet, which can lead to fatty liver disease.

Leading wildlife hospitals are trying to educate the public about what to feed and what not to feed hedgehogs, which is great, but we still need to do more to get the message across.

!

www.bramblespaw.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/BramblesPAW/

Here’s a link to a video by Vale Wildlife re Metabolic Bone Disease in Hedgehogs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjUhQN4STc&feature=youtu.be

Haskins is welcoming Elaine Sinclair, rescue officer at Wadars Animal Rescue, to its Roundstone centre on Monday (October 15) to raise awareness of the plight of hedgehogs.

Wadars Animal Rescue is focusing its attention on the protection of hedgehogs throughout the month of October, in a campaign aptly named ‘Hogtober.’

Every year, the charity responds to hundreds of calls from residents about sick, injured, underweight and orphaned hedgehogs. Over recent years, surveys have shown a decline of hedgehogs and they have been declared a priority species for conservation.

Haskins has teamed up with Wadars to encourage members of the public to donate food for the hedgehogs. Those interested can bring food to the collection point for Wadars at the Roundstone centre to help provide care during the colder winter months.

On Monday October 15, Elaine Sinclair will visit Haskins in Roundstone to provide a talk on the ways in which Wadars helps protect hedgehogs, as well as ways that residents can protect the hogs. All spaces for the talk have been booked, with 70 local residents due to attend.

Alasdair Urquhart, Haskins’ in-house plant expert, commented: “Once a common sight, it’s now a treasure to have a hedgehog in your garden. Their natural food includes insects, slugs, snails, beetles, caterpillars and worms, so creating an environment which supports these creatures will encourage hedgehogs to stay.

“Alternatively, the best non-natural food for hedgehogs is either cat or dog food as this is formulated for small mammals. They prefer non-fish or non-gravy based versions and please don’t give them milk as they are lactose-intolerant.

“You can also help hedgehogs thrive by leaving a few corners of your garden wild. Introducing log or leaf piles provides an excellent shelter for them and other beneficial garden creatures.”

As Haskins’ nominated ‘Charity of the Year,’ all fundraising efforts raised by the Roundstone centre goes towards Wadars. The centre is proud to act as a drop-off point throughout October (‘Hogtober’) for members of the public that want to donate hedgehog food and goodies.

Tracy Cadman, operations manager at Wadars Animal Rescue, commented: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Haskins for our Hogtober campaign. The care and welfare of hedgehogs in our community is something that is right at the heart of what we do, and given the fantastic response to the talk already, it is clearly something that appeals to local people too.”

Wadars, based in Worthing, provides protection to animals of all kinds and co-ordinates their rescue and rehoming. The charity rescued more than 1,200 injured, orphaned and at risk birds and wildlife last year, as well as rehoming over 300 cats, dogs and other companion animals.

Haskins Garden Centre in located in Angmering, Littlehampton, West Sussex. Visit www.haskins.co.uk for more information.

With Bonfire Night plus Christmas and New Year looming, CSJ says now’s the time to start sprinkling its Calm Down! herbs on sensitive dogs’ food.

Symptoms of anguish caused to dogs by noise can be extreme panting, constant pacing, howling or barking, scraping the carpet or door, refusal to eat or drink, refusing to go outside, involuntary toileting and even running away...all causing owners to suffer along with their pets.

CSJ repeatedly hear about Calm Down’s benefits in helping previously inconsolable dogs cope with fireworks and other stressful situations such as car travel, being amongst other dogs, competition or shows. 

The company says, “Some of the feedback we receive is almost too good to be true."

here are a few examples…

• “Have just started using this product and already seen a change in my dog's behaviour. Brings out the calm dog and not the excitable canine.” 
• “Our dogs have been on this for a while, we ran out and thought we'd see how they were without."
• "OMG we need to get them back on Calm Down as soon as possible!”  “Fantastic product, couldn’t imagine life without it.” 

A gentle blend of Camomile, Lemon Balm, Vervain, Lime Flowers and Skullcap Calm Down! comes in a 200g re-sealable foil pouch – it’s a simple and easy way to make life more bearable.

For more on CSJ products visit www.csjk9.com or call 01745710470

Mutt & Co Pet Boutique in Hartlepool, Teesside, has only been open for just over a year and progress has been so dramatic that the store has been crowned UK Pet Retailer of the Year at the PetQuip Awards.

Owner Amy-leigh Norris (pictured, second from left, receiving the PetQuip Award) reveals how independent pet retailers can achieve success in today's challenging times.

When did you open the pet store?

We opened the pet store in August 2017 after two months of restoration work to the building.

Was there a pet shop there before?

It was a wool store for around 60 years but the lady retired and we acquired the property. I grew up in the area and always admired the big window display space, so I knew the building had great potential.

Amy-leigh (centre) celebrates the store's first anniversary with her team. Above right, the boutique at Christmas.

How many people work in the store?

There are five members of permanent staff between the boutique and the grooming parlour to the rear. We also have two students on work experience at the moment.

What’s your background?

Before I opened the store I was a stay-at-home mum for five years. I decided to retrain in canine nutrition and behaviour. I've always had an interest in animals and helping them. Changing my own dog’s diet for the better, I decided to study and train as much as I could and qualified as a canine nutritionist and raw feeding expert.

How do you attract business?

Word of mouth has been our best way of attracting business. New dogs come to the store every week as a result of current customers’ recommendations. We also attract business by keeping our customers up to date on our social media platforms with any new items of stock. We also post lots of photos of customers’ dogs on our Facebook page.

Do you offer other services as well as selling pet products?

We are a natural pet boutique selling all manner of natural toys and treats, but we also run monthly pet first aid classes, behaviour courses and nutrition seminars. All the companies we use or invite to the store are local businesses, mostly from our town because we believe in helping to boost the local economy. We also have an all-natural grooming parlour inside the store called  'Bark and Bone Grooming Parlour'. Georgia, our head groomer, is also a qualified nutrionist and behavouirst like me. We offer spa packages, from mudbaths to pawdicures. and all of our shampoos and products are free from harmful chemicals. We also do not use cages or muzzles, and have a one-dog policy. Each dog gets one-to-one attention, making the experience a lot more relaxing.

What sets you apart from the rest?

We offer several services in one store. We have a rapour with each customer and dog that comes in. If they come in on their birthday we make a fuss – they get a goodie bag and we set our Facebook profile to that dog’s photo. We can offer free professional nutritional advice and be confident we can change a dog’s diet and help that customer.

What’s the secret of your success?

It’s being kind and caring and going above and beyond for all our doggie customers. Customer service is our number one priority.

What does this award mean to you?

This award means the world to me. I have worked extremely hard to build up our clients and business and to say we won the award after being open just over a year is really special. It’s a great start for our business – I hope to grow and expand from this. I must mention my husband too because he has helped us to be as eco friendly as possible in the store. The vast majority of our stands, my counter and treat bar are all handmade by my husband out of recycled materials so it meant a lot of late nights.

What advice would you give to other independent pet shop owners?

The advice I would give to other independent pet shop owners is to be different. Find items that set you apart from everybody else. The pet industry is a crowed market, so offer more than one service. We knew before opening the store we were only going to stock raw frozen food and the best quality natural treats, so we aimed for the health market in pets – hence why I studied nutrition. We stand out and people travel to us. You will find people will come back if your offering something different.

A pet owner was furious after finding a stone in a packet of gourmet dog biscuits he bought at Pets At Home, according to a report on the Liverpool Echo website.

Chris Smith told the Liverpool Echo that he bought the packet of 'Deli Dog Choc Chip Mini Cookies' for his mongrel Bailey at the Pets At Home store in Speke.

Chris said that he noticed something glimmer as he poured out the treats for Bailey, halfway through the pack.

A spokesperson for Pets At Home confirmed to the Liverpool Echo that the item found in the biscuits was a piece of stone.

"We were concerned to learn from Mr Smith that he had found what he believed to be a piece of glass in a dog biscuit.

"Of course we take complaints of this nature extremely seriously and, having investigated with our supplier, we can confirm this wasn’t glass but a small stone."

The full Liverpool Echo report can be read by clicking here

A pet shop claiming to be the oldest in the UK has been put up for sale.

WE Howden in Coldstream, Berwickshire, was established in 1830 by George Wilson, the inventor of sheep dip, and has seen only four owners during its existence.

The company is being  sold by the Edinburgh commercial agency branch of Allied Surveyors and Borders-based solicitor and estate agent Hastings Legal.

According to Allied Surveyors, the business is trading from distinctive premises in Coldstream High Street. The B-listed frontage is easily identified by the Roman style columns each crafted from pink polished granite.

The current owner has operated the business for the past 45 years but has now decided to take retirement. He is only the fourth owner of WE Howden since 1830 and is now actively seeking a new owner who can continue its history and traditions, whilst also preserving the opulent fixtures and fittings in the shop. The dispensary in the front shop area, for example, was last fitted in 1896 and all of the fittings are original.

The business has a guide price of £175,000. It has an annual turnover of £160,000+, 30-35% gross profit.

To view the agents’ details of the sale click here

Poppy’s Picnic's meteoric rise in the fresh raw pet food market has been recognised once again with a win in the ‘Start-up of the Year’ category at the Business Leader Awards. The win comes hot on the heels of a Wiltshire Business Award and finalist announcements in the upcoming Rural Business Awards and NatWest Great British Entrpreneur Awards.

Since appearing on BBC Dragons’ Den, where founder Dylan Watkins and Director, Louise Mackintosh were offered four investment opportunities, the innovative company has already won ‘Business Start-up of the Year’, while also being nominated in the Outstanding Excellence Award category, at the 2018 Wiltshire Business Awards.

Three of their products also made the finals of the PetQuip Awards in the ‘Pet Product of the Year’ category, beating off competition from hundreds of other entries and receiving Highly Commended recognition from the judges.

Celebrating the achievements of companies and the people who run them across the South West, the Business Leader Awards received over 200 high calibre entries this year and competition to become a finalist was fierce. All the judges, who are major players in the world of business and finance, unanimously voted for Poppy’s Picnic to win the award.

Louise Mackintosh received the award from comedian Russell Kane at a glittering Gala Dinner held at Ashton Court, Bristol.

Since politely declining investment opportunities from the Dragons, including a £60,000 investment from Deborah Meaden, Poppy’s Picnic has successfully overfunded to raise £600,000 through crowd funding, and has been part of the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme – a scheme for fast growth businesses - for the past 18 months. With the help of the bank, the business has grown from an idea founded in Dylan’s kitchen, to a business valued at £4.8milllon.

Poppy’s Picnic meals are handmade by fourth generation Wiltshire butchers, and only include the best human-grade British ingredients. A new manufacturing plant near Melksham, Wiltshire will be operational in Q4 and will support the production of new ranges and online orders, as well as enabling the business to expand its international and retail order capabilities. The company also plans to produce cat food from early 2019.

Founder Dylan Watkins believes that simplicity - or RAWPLICITY as he calls it - is the key to Poppy’s Picnic’s success:  

“Our aim from the start has been to make it easier for more people to feed fresh. Much like humans should eat fresh food and avoid a processed diet to ward off obesity and disease, the same applies to our four-legged friends.

"Any fresh food in a dog’s diet is better than none and we make innovative products to help people switch completely to feeding our raw meals, or even just add a little boost to a kibble diet. It’s about being inclusive and helping people make changes for good, and our ever-growing family of Poppy’s Picnic feeders are helping us spread the word.”

Rural Business Awards

There are additional accolades in the pipeline as well. Poppy’s Picnic has reached the regional finals of the Rural Business Awards, sponsored by Amazon, which are the only UK-wide business awards specifically for the rural sector. Poppy’s Picnic is listed as a finalist in the ‘Best Rural Start-Up’ in the South West region. The regional winners, to be announced on 18 October, will go forward to the national finals which take place in February 2019.

NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Finally, Dylan Watkins, Founder of Poppy’s Picnic is a finalist in the ‘Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year’ category in the Wales and South West region of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Now in their sixth year, the awards acknowledge the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses in Great Britain. The Awards have previously celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs, such as the founders of BrewDog and JustEat which have taken the UK by storm. The Wales and South West Gala Finals will take place on 22^nd November. A further National Winners event will be held 24 Janaury 2019 in London.

As well as delivering another highly successful two-day pet trade event, this year’s PATS Telford was able to reduce the show’s impact on the environment.

“We talk about ways of protecting the environment and it is critical that we all do something to reduce waste. At PATS Telford we introduced a number of new initiatives which will have an immediate impact,” said show organiser Gordon Thomas.

“Working with our contractors, the venue and our exhibitors, PATS is doing as much as possible to limit the amount of waste we send to landfill, and this is just the beginning.”

Eco-friendly initiatives at PATS Telford included:

• Visitors were handed recyclable paper bags with their catalogues instead of plastic carrier bags – used in the past.
• Water dispensers were provided with paper cones that are able to be recycled.
• Visitors and exhibitors were encouraged to recycle their plastic badge holders and lanyards, so they could be used again.
• The exhibition hall floor carpet will be recycled in the UK. The fibres that the carpet is made from are cleaned, shredded and melted back into plastic pellets that can be re-used to make more carpet.

PATS is also keen to work with venues like the Telford International Centre, which takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. The venue has a host of policies designed to reduce waste and pollution, as well as an onsite water filtration system which allows them to reuse glass bottles, reducing the need for plastic.

“We appreciate there is more we can and need to do, and we will strive to add more eco-friendly initiatives in the future,” added Gordon.

Meanwhile, after another successful show, PATS Telford has been receiving very positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors.

Here are some of the comments received:

Exhibitors

“Thank you PATS Telford for another awesome show. It has been a jam-packed 48 hours but an excellent platform to meet and talk to pet trade wholesalers, retailers and independent stockists, both new and current.”

Karen Scott, Purely Fish

“The show was a huge success. The location means that we saw a lot of clients from further north in the UK, which was great for a company with a limited field sales team in that area.”

Chris Brierley, Cotswold RAW

“PATS Telford was our first trade event and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting dozens of independent pet retailers. The atmosphere was buzzing and there was great engagement from the trade.”

Jack Walker, Scrumbles

“This year's PATS Telford was the best one yet for us. Having launched Broadreach Nature + here in September 2015 it was amazing to come back and have so many positive leads. It was lovely to see a number of international buyers at the show looking to expand their ranges and gain new contacts.”

Anne Wood, Broadreach Nature +

Visitors

“This year’s PATS Telford was the third one I’ve attended and I have to say It was the best one yet. The effort put into some of the displays was outstanding and very eye-catching, and it was great to speak to so many enthusiastic and passionate suppliers.”

Nikki Harris, TFM Countrystore, Lincoln                

“Thank you for an absolutely fantastic show this year. We found hundreds of new great products that our customers will love.”

Piers Smart, Scampers Pet Store, Cambridgeshire

“I had a wonderful day at PATS Telford. There was an impressive number of stands, including a good range of new suppliers. The New Product Showcase was vast, and it was amazing to see such a fantastic selection of exhibits. The show demonstrated how the pet industry is ever changing to meet the needs of the consumer.”

Jane Fisher, The Pet Shop, Ripon

“PATS Telford never fails to impress! The Telford International venue is perfectly suited for this important event in the pet trade calendar, particularly with its central location, easy access and free parking.”

Jamie Gleave, Paws and Claws, Frodsham, Cheshire

The focus now turns to PATS Sandown in Surrey, which is being held on Sunday and Monday, 10^th-11^th February 2019.